Allow me to share something I recently stumbled upon. Did you know, according to research, bi-modal sleeping was once a thing. That is, people did not sleep at a set time but when they had nothing to do. Funny, right?
Do you think we need to go back to that? In these times, when we always have more to do. And still, let’s just say, we haven’t the best record for healthy napping. Well yeah, your guess is as good as mine.
It’s no longer news that relaxing has become now more of a chore than we care to admit. While I don’t mean to sound heroic but it begs the question. What can be done? I’m guessing that sounded generic.
Spoke with a Somnologist, Jane. Now before you crucify me, please understand why you may need a top-up on your ‘hit-the-hay’ sleep hours.
Set an alarm. This time, not to wake up but to go to bed. Counter-intuitive you think, indulge if you must. Its rewards are exceptional.
1) Work Up A Healthy Diet
Due to my busy lifestyle. At a point in my life, my bed hours used to be between 2-3. And I don’t think I should minimize its effects on me. Here’s why I had to disembark.
Having overseen research herself; Jane noted that though not directly linked to a bad diet, it may somewhat influence. As it may cause fluctuations in its hormones.
This is scary but according to research, obesity has strong ties to unhealthy bunk duration. Now, while I don’t want you as scared as I was. I’d need you to know the ‘why.’
Study shows it plays a vital role in the increased production of ghrelin (the hormone that increases food intake) and leptin, the hormone that decreases appetite, accordingly.
2) It Gives Rise To High Risk Of Cardiac Disease And Stroke
Many, including myself, used to think that those at risk of heart disease would be everyone but young people. Daresay I that this was but a supposition.
While depriving yourself of the opportunity to dwell in dreamland may not generally be the cause of this disease but other issues, the likes of obesity and lack of physical activity are potential triggers.
Ever since Jane said “your blood pressure should drop at night”. Oh did I start to look forward to a certain lack of concentration and lightheadedness that only being sleepy could bring. Weird, right?
Now, you can see that the more we deprive ourselves of a shut-eye, the higher our blood pressure remains. So please do not fault that I went from my 3-hour dozing to being a 7-hour sleeper. On average of course.
3) Good Sleep Boosts Immunity
Are there times you’ve been susceptible to cold? Maybe you need to check that your snooze hours are just right.
Asides the fact a good rest aids the production of cytokines for better immunity. You might want to increase your belief of the famous mothers’ tale tagging bad sleep as illness-causing. It may not be entirely wrong.
Imagine that time at night, in front of your uncleared desk (that mind you, always will be that way) as when your immune system is at its weakest. So, yes, once again, your guess is as good as mine. As found on healthline, study has found that those who slept less than 7 hours were always 3 times more likely to develop a cold than those who slept 8 hours or more.
4) Good Sleep Steadies Your Blood Sugar
Remember the other problem of over-eating being linked to sleep deprivation causes.
Thing is, once you don’t rest well, your body comes under some type of stress. This, in turn, increases the sugar level. Now, here’s the catch, the increase in sugar level also affects your sleep. Ultimately, this could lead to Type 2 Diabetes because your body becomes less and less sensitive to insulin.
Now, while I do not care for the technicalities. It became apparent the only thing I as a layman could do was to sleep better. And surely it did work wonders. Plus, I noticed my sugar level normalized when I started sleeping better.
Now, if you wonder how long you should ‘get some shut-eye’, we are talking not less than 7 hours. Here’s something. When I solved my problems with the Zzz clan. I became happier, more focused , stronger, and even more productive. No wonder Mezut Barazany said, “your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep.”
See the below link for the next read: Sleep: How to trick yourself to sleep like a baby.
